An accountability court in Karachi has summoned Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) founder and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Mustafa Kamal alongside nine others in a reference concerning the illegal allotment of welfare plots in Clifton.
The court directed the accused to appear on the next hearing to face charges related to the misuse of authority during their tenures. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) alleges that Kamal, while serving as Karachi’s mayor, oversaw the illegal conversion of land designated for public amenities into commercial and residential plots.
The reference centers on the alleged allotment of nearly 55,000 square yards of land in the posh Clifton area. Investigators claim the land, originally reserved for a maternity home and other welfare facilities, was repurposed for private gain, causing significant financial loss to the public exchequer.
Kamal has consistently denied the allegations, framing the case as a politically motivated attempt to sideline him. His legal team maintains that all land transfers during his time in office followed standard municipal procedures and were approved by the relevant town planning authorities.
The case has lingered in the legal system for years, reflecting the broader complexities of land management and urban governance in Karachi. Prosecutors argue the evidence—primarily official records and witness statements—demonstrates a clear pattern of bypassing regulatory hurdles to favor private developers.
The court’s summons brings the case back into the spotlight as the city continues to grapple with a chronic shortage of public space and infrastructure. For Kamal, a prominent political figure in the coalition-led government, the proceedings present a persistent legal hurdle.
The accountability judge has ordered the prosecution to ensure all suspects are served their notices ahead of the upcoming date. If those summoned fail to appear, the court could move to issue non-bailable arrest warrants to compel their presence.
